I
have read several books to help Christians understand suffering. This
one is the best I've read in ages.
Lest
we think Maples doesn't know suffering, she shares her own story. She
was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus at twelve years old.
She suffered a massive brainstem stroke at twenty that almost killed
her. Although she learned to walk and talk again through
rehabilitation, she lives every day with the challenge of chronic
illness and disability. She still has a limping gait, using a cane on
good days and a walker on bad ones.
I
really like her attitude that it is about God's sovereignty. Either
He is in control or He is not. “If God is in control, then what we
know about God is more important than what we know about our
circumstances.” She does an excellent job in showing how God uses
the darkness of suffering for character formation, drawing us closer
to Him, preparing us for something new, and more.
Maples
writes about the unexpected blessing of suffering, encouraging us to
know that all of God's actions are out of love, even if we do not
understand them. She uses examples of biblical characters to remind
us that we often do not know God's plan until we walk through the
suffering in obedience.
The
lessons she shares from the Bible and her own experience are
insightful and practical. I really liked her insight of 2 Corinthians
6. Before Paul lists his troubles, he declares that it was the time
of God's favor. Paul expected to see God in the midst of his times of
suffering. What a lesson for us.
I
highly recommend this book to anyone in need of encouragement for
going through suffering. Maples' insight from her own suffering and
her understanding of God's character will boost your faith in a
loving God Who is working out His plan for your life.
Food
for thought: “Maybe it doesn't matter what causes suffering
in our lives as much as it matters what suffering causes in
our lives.”
You
can find out more about the book and her amazing story at
http://nikamaples.com/. You can
watch her TEDx talk here.
I
am taking part in a blog tour of this book and you can read other
reviews here.
My
rating: 5/5 stars.
Nika
Maples was twenty years old when she had a massive brainstem stroke
leaving her unable to walk, speak, even blink. Doctors told her
family she had 48 hours to live. Her faith sustained her and a year
later she was able to walk onto her college campus. She went on to
earn a BS in mass communications and an MA in English Education. In
2007 she was named the Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. She now
writes and speaks full time, sharing her story of hope and endurance
across the country. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas.
Worthy
Inspired, 240 pages. You can purchase a copy here.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book through Litfuse for
the purpose of an independent and honest review.
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